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Inflammation doesn’t wait, so why should we?

When left uncontrolled, inflammation can be devastating for patients, affecting not just their skin but every aspect of their daily lives. Consequences of systemic inflammation go beyond the skin, leading to disease progression, comorbidities and irreversible damage. We now understand that effective inflammation control may not only help patients achieve complete control of their skin symptoms but also could enhance their overall quality of life.

UCB sponsored two separate symposia at EADV this year, which explored themes of inflammation control and the importance of timely intervention in treating psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). These important concepts are at the forefront of care and may help patients achieve their treatment goals.

In the psoriasis-focussed symposium titled “Does inflammation control set the stage for disease modification in psoriasis?”, experts in psoriasis Dr Ziad Reguiai, Dr Nina Magnolo, Prof Andreas Pinter and Prof Valentina Dini explored how effective inflammation control may halt disease progression and change the course of disease in psoriasis. Dr Magnolo began the session by looking at the underlying mechanisms behind how biologics can be used to achieve clear skin in psoriasis. She explored the impact of controlling inflammation on clinical outcomes, molecular mechanisms and the psoriatic transcriptome.

After an exploration of mechanisms behind inflammation control from Dr Magnolo, Prof Pinter explored the potential for disease modification in psoriasis, outlining the clinical evidence for this and the molecular mechanisms of immune cell memory that may drive these outcomes. He highlighted the importance of earlier intervention and how disease-modifying strategies may be employed in the future. Prof Dini followed by exploring how nail and scalp psoriasis are risk factors for psoriatic arthritis, how use of biologics may improve nail and scalp outcomes, and how ultrasound can be used to detect changes in nail inflammation. The session closed by posing the question “With timely intervention, can we change the course of disease?” and highlighted the benefits of earlier intervention in preventing disease progression to comorbidities and reducing the impact of cumulative life course impairment.

HS experts Prof Falk Bechara, Dr Alejandro Molina-Leyva and Prof Aikaterini Liakou explored how inflammation control benefits patients in the HS-focussed symposium titled “Charting the future of HS care through inflammation control”. In his talk, the symposium chair Prof Bechara outlined the new European S2K guidelines for HS, including guidance on assessing for biologic intervention, biologic treatment decisions, and the potential for a top-down management approach. Dr Molina-Leyva delved deeper into the impact of biologics, including on HiSCR50/75/90/100 outcomes, IHS4 and draining tunnel counts. He also outlined how ultrasound can be used to detect draining tunnels, the benefits of combining biologics and surgery and the importance of treating earlier with deep inflammation control within the window of opportunity.

Prof Liakou continued the conversation with data on the importance of patient-reported outcomes and shared decision-making to ensure patients voices are heard. She provided an overview of how biologics have improved both pain and quality-of-life outcomes and the importance of early treatment in improving patients’ lives. Finally, Prof Bechara closed the session with a call to action to encourage the audience to treat hard, treat early and never let the window of opportunity close for patients.

Collectively, these symposia highlight how early intervention gives patients’ a chance to achieve deep control of inflammation, reach higher treatment goals, prevent disease progression and achieve the best possible outcomes.

So, let’s ask ourselves: if inflammation doesn’t wait, then why should we?

This article was written by UCB.

▼This medicinal product is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions. Please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/product-information/bimzelx-epar-product-information_en.pdf.

© UCB Biopharma SRL, 2025. All rights reserved.
Date of preparation: August 2025 GL-BK-2500170